I still have a giggle every now and then when I remember of a man, a few years back, who gave me a very eloquent dressing-down because, to him, I was not very professional in presenting the live broadcasts. He said if he had to do it the way I was doing the lessons his boss would fire him.

Very nicely I reminded him that I was my own boss and I run my business the way I want to. When I was a professional engineer I ran my work very professionally and to the satisfaction of my seniors. If I had listened to him then,we would not be the friendly group and have the wonderful atmosphere we have at the moment.

What makes us so proud of all the thousands of members in our community is the fact that there is not even the slightest hint of quarrelsomeness or bad behaviour.

All you guys are are TOPS and we are very proud of you.

The Paint Basket Team is looking forward to an even greater New Year ahead of us.

Interesting reading Dennis. However, the success that the Paint Basket enjoys, I feel, is directly attributed to the low key, laid back atmosphere created by you and Nolan in your live broadcasts which imparts a stress free, caring and welcoming environment, which brings to mind the earlier days when Nolan used to bring you your nice hot cup of coffee which made us feel so much part of it all. Your broadcasts were completely devoid of high pressure which makes it so special and this is why we feel it is "home".

Patricia

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PatriciaBlessed are those who give without remembering and blessed are those who receive without forgetting - anonymous

Dear Dennis,Your story rings a deep cord. Only non-expert knows it all. It takes a superior mind not to listen to those 'expect' comments.

I vividly recall about 25 years ago when the curator of the National Gallery in Ottawa bought a painting with public money and I would think most likely in consultation with expert in the field of Art. The painting was called 'The Voice of Fire'. I forgot who was the artist. Suddenly, every Joe-Blo was an expert in art appreciation. There was a public outrage and comments were flying in and out 'my pre-school can do a better painting', 'anybody can do that', etc.

I cannot say I could warm to the painting, but at the time I humbly (and still do) acknowledged that I was not qualify to assess the value of the painting and I showed respect for the assessment and the decision that experts in the field made. At the time, I was also totally outraged... but not at the painting. I was outraged that people who knew nothing about Art felt they were qualify to critic the painting.

Expressing a preference, a like-dislike, is very different from providing an expect opinion or assessment.

Since, I just got much worst in our Society. People read 2 articles about law and fell compelled to tell their lawyer how to practice law (why do lawyers bother studying law for 4 to 6 years?), people consult Dr. Google and they try to teach their doctor how to practice medicine (why bother going to medical training for 8 to 14+ years?). Our society shows very little respect to scientists, let along poets, artists, teachers, garbage collectors (I cannot think how horrible my environment would be without them doing their routine duties), etc.

If one just needed to look at a few paintings to be an 'expert', then why do artists study Art intensively for 4 to 10 years and many for a life time to become Master Artist??? Artists contribute greatly to our societies, actually there are no viable Society without Art.

It is time we re-teach basic respect values to our children. The respect that one is entitled, not from a title or a degree, but from working hard and doing his/her best at whatever job they do.

I agree with Mea, PB is a nuclear family and an image of what the World could be. Respect, peace, welcoming and inclusivity of all, supportive and encouraging environment, and personally I love the goofiness as a major de-stressor from daily life. PB is both serious about Art, while not being personally serious.

PB is highly professional and delivers high quality lessons. Dennis and young-Nolan ( ) deserve all the respect that Masters are entitled too... even if we are all on a first name basis. This is the non-presumptiveness of PB!

Dennis, Nolan and Others: I feel we are true friends. Even though at times we seem little more than pen pals I feel like we would all discover that we are just as good of friends as those individuals we befriend at classes in our local community social clubs.

I hope the feeling is not an illusion.

I know the internet can be a nasty place but I needed a community of like mined individuals with like values at a bad time in my life a couple of years ago and PB was there. The original Low quality you-tube transmissions showed individuals with character and integrity. I was attracted to the dynamic duo abroad, and the fun they seemed to be having in their venture!

I pay my dues to the PB because I like to sit at master craftsmen's feet, who have life experience they can share and can be asked questions in real-time. The stories, the music, the YouTube uploads of Dennis's religious snippets, stories of other-worlds and cultures like Africa and New Zealand are all things that keep me in the system.

Please continue to keep me mesmerized!

FYI: If I were looking exclusively for The technical aspects of painting I could have purchased a number of series at my local Art-a-Rama. Some times those videos ore actually on sale for a dime a dozen.

I have "let Life get in the way" and as a result I have not been active in the "Family" for a while, yet I "sneak in " as often as I can. I, too, want to add my thank you to Dennis and Nolan AND to ALL of the Family, you have enriched my life beyond measure! PB is a family, in the very best sense of the word...Dennis and Nolan, it is who you are as human beings that shines thru and sets the tone. Thank you ALL,Brian

The original Low quality you-tube transmissions showed individuals with character and integrity. I was attracted to the dynamic duo abroad, and the fun they seemed to be having in their venture!

Sometime in the near future I think we must post some of the very original hilarious boo-boos we made trying to make DVD's. I had made a home-made teleprompter at which we could not control the speed properly. What we were trying to do never made the grade. We were rank amateurs at it then

Sometime in the near future I think we must post some of the very original hilarious boo-boos we made trying to make DVD's. I had made a home-made teleprompter at which we could not control the speed properly. What we were trying to do never made the grade. We were rank amateurs at it then

It would be such fun to see a 'PB Bloopers' reel.... maybe even a brief 'softshoe'? No pressure!

Just a special thank you and to Val, Mea and others that run the challenges and help with other back end work on the site.

You guys are amazing

No thanks necessary on my part.... (bring it on ) I thank you and all the Clarks, I so appreciate all you both do in helping so many by providing such a fun learning environment. Your kindness and generosity know no bounds. Many thanks to you and all the others behind the scenes, AND thanks to all the PB members for putting up with me and my hit and miss spotty internet!!! Cheers!!!

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Cheers, Val

�Creativity is allowing yourselves to make mistakes. Work on knowing which ones to keep!�

Oh! Val, without you and your hilarious sense of humour, life would not be quite the same. You are so much part of our PB family. We understand too, that your hit and miss spotty internet is unavoidable and we are just so grateful for all you do to make our site even more exciting. So a big is in order from us to you, Dennis and Nolan.

Patricia

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PatriciaBlessed are those who give without remembering and blessed are those who receive without forgetting - anonymous

I agree whole heartedly with what has been said, it is because of dennis and nolans approach that pb is the site it is today. I also view you all as "family" I love the banter and of course serious "conversations " and of course where would we be without our val and of course mea . pb members are all so familiar to each other although most of us have never met! but this is whats great about this site no bickering arguing or nastiness, just all here to learn help and advise one another. from me a big Thankyou to you all I hope everyone has a healthy and prosperous 2016